How can I use Venetian plaster in my home renovation project?

To benefit the most from using Venetian plaster as part of your home renovation project, you should consider the main points outlined in this article.

Whilst each case is individual, with our taste preferences and budget coming into play, there is, of course, more generalisation that will apply.

Does the style of my property matter?

Yes, to a degree, it will.

Some properties and how they’ve been designed may be better suited to a regular paint finish.

What is the age of the property?

How do you plan to dress and decorate the rest of the space?

Will you be altering any other aspects of the property in line with the installation of Venetian plaster?

Considering the above points can help steer your decisions or, at the very least, provide a bit more context and a more balanced approach.

Occasionally we can come across a space or planned installation where it just wouldn’t look right or work with everything else going on.

Modern finishes in period properties.

Very dark designs in spaces with little to no natural lighting.

These are just a few examples where you might like to reconsider your choices.

What are some creative ways to introduce Venetian plaster into your renovation project?

We’re not short of ideas when it comes to finding creative ways to introduce Venetian plaster into your renovation project.

Should you wish to discuss this in more detail, feel free to reach out to us here

A few ideas of where it could be used are listed below but are not limited to:

  • Ceilings
  • Dropped bulkheads
  • Accent walls
  • Panel infills 
  • Above or below dado rails 
  • Framed on walls 
  • Stencilled 

Think about how you'll light up your polished plaster

Have you forward planned and installed feature lighting to capitalise on this design installation? If so, did you choose for these lights to be dimmable, switched independently or motion activated?

Seemingly small details such as this may be easy to overlook but ultimately lead to the best overall ambience in the areas with polished plaster installed.

What areas are best suited to Venetian plaster?

Given its decorative nature, where you plan to install Venetian plaster may assist in guiding where it’s best suited to be used.

High traffic areas or spaces where the surfaces may be prone to knocks, bangs or scrapes can present their challenges.  

It can be installed here, but visitors should be mindful of this premium surface coating to help preservation.

Additional sealers can be installed instead of the typical cera wax to offer greater levels of protection here.

Wall spaces out of reach, ceilings and infill panels are less susceptible to explorative hands and, therefore, less likely to suffer the effects.

We don’t advise using traditional lime-based Venetian plaster in wet areas such as around the bath, inside shower enclosures or steam rooms.

Kitchen splashbacks, in particular behind sinks or hobs, are better coated in a different product from our range. Similar patterns, textures and overall aesthetics can still be achieved using these.

Can I add Venetian plaster to my skirting or doors?

In short, you cannot add Venetian plaster finishes to these wooden surfaces.  

If you do, you risk having the decorative plaster crack as the wood expands and contracts, which will ruin the look and feel in no time.

We have other products available that can be used in these areas instead.

How about Venetian plaster on my floors?

Alas, it’s a similar answer to the above; we don’t recommend installing Venetian plaster on your floors.

The product is typically only a few millimetres thick and is a decorative topcoat. Whilst it may look nice, to begin with, it wouldn’t stay that way for long.

Instead, you could opt for a more durable coating such as microcement, which you can find out more about here.

Or epoxy resin-based products.

Would using Venetian plaster as part of my renovation add value to my property?

This point is worth considering, both from a resale or a rental perspective.

With the way the housing market has been heading, more tenants will appreciate finishing touches such as well-specced properties, decorated nicely etc. and are prepared to pay a premium for them.

More desirable properties also get swept off the market quicker, meaning there will be less time it sits empty between tenants or from the renovation to occupancy.

Should you be in the market to resell, Venetian plaster may be a factor that is considered and enhances the value, along with the rest of the renovation, the quality it has been done and the design style.

You must remember that people often want to put their touch on a property when they buy it, so splashing out several thousand pounds installing Venetian plaster may result in it being removed or painted over.

Should resale be the primary focus, it may be better to opt for a painted finish, which is more cost-effective and easier to change.

Hopefully, this article has provided some valuable ideas and inspirations that can transfer over to your project.

If you’d like to discuss plans, inspiration and your renovation design in more depth, then feel free to drop us an email at hello@signature-walls.co.uk

We look forward to hearing from you soon.

The Signature Walls team

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